Meteorology institute faces experts crunch

Even as IITM is looking at recruiting nearly 20 researchers in climate science,the sheer dearth of such experts,will not see optimum filling up of these posts. “If there are 20 posts,we can hope to fill up only 10,” said IITM director Prof B N Goswami. He said there were nearly 50 positions which can be filled in the coming three years as there is plenty of work. “Though there has been some improvement,it is not enough. There is need of dedicated scientists with thorough knowledge in the area,” he said.

With IITM constantly working on upgradation and improvement of the models of climate system,Goswami feels that there are still not many people following climate science in the country. The IITM has to constantly take in scientists working in various models abroad who come down to India to do research. With an upcoming climate change centre and model simulation projects as well as cloud physics,IITM has also been giving training to some researchers and grooming them to join these positions.

The fact that meteorology and oceanography are not offered at the graduate level and post graduate courses are available only at the Cochin and Andhra Universities,are significant factors behind few people specialising in these fields. A former director and retired scientist of Cochin University specialising in meteorological science said there was not much awareness created regarding this field and not enough options are being offered. “The offers have to be lucrative and there should be upgraded systems to help them to opt for the area,”he said.

A student of climate science Debshish Mohanty said with just two universities and openings declared only once in a while,“Maybe an in-house training institute at these Met departments will help students get some hands-on experience.”